Instep-supporting means for shoes.



U. M. LEONARD. INSTEP SUPPORTING MEANS FOR SHOES. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 12, 1913.

1,126,38, Patented Jan.26,1915.

Azame UNITED TAT ATENT ()FFIGE CARL M. LEONARD, OF RACINE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOB OF ONE-FOURTH TO ARTHUI A. YOUNG, OI RAOINE, WSW:

INSTEP-SUPPORTIN G MEANS FOR SHOES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 26, 1915.

Application filed June 12, 1912i. Serial No. 773,328.

object of my improvement is to integrally fill in the space between the sole of a shoe under its arch by an extended portion of the heel, so as to not only support the instep butalso provide a level and even bearing surface under the foot. This object I have attained by the means which are hereinafter described and claimed, and which are illustrated in th e accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an elevation of the left-hand side of a right-hand shoe, provided with my improved means for supporting the arch of the foot. Fig. 2 is an elevation of the right-hand side of said shoe, and Fig. 3 is a plan of the lower surface of the shoe sole, including my improvement.

I am aware that various means have been previously adopted to support the arch of the foot in the shoe, such as the insertion of a steel blade or other means. My improvement goes'further in that not only is proper support furnished for the arch of the foot, but also an even bearing surface throughout the full length of the sole including the heel and intermediate space. Toefl'ect this object, with a shoe, 1, I form an integral extension forwardly at 4 of the heel 3, such extension filling in the interspace between the heel and the part of the sole just back of the ball of the foot at a transverse line 6, so as to preserve a continuous flat bearing surface along the full length of such parts, including the forward part 20f the sole proper.

While in invention is complete in the provision 0 such a filling support under the arch of the foot between the heel and ball thereof, I have shown herein a slight modification in the form of such filling 4, to preserve the symmetry of the sole to conform to the shape of the shoe. It will be noticed that in Fig. 1, the filling 4 is formed of layers of leather continuous and integral with the layers of the heel 3 and extending forwardly, with the left-hand side concaved somewhat under the arch of the foot to follow the outer line of the sole 2 thereabove. Figs. 2 and 3 show the arrangement adopted for the opposite side of the filling 4 in that the filling is cut away at 5 under the arch of the foot for a distance between the heel and ball of the foot underneath the sole 2, which carries back-the filling on the righthand side of the shoe far enough so as to make it inconspicuous and not easily observed. Since t e left-hand or inner face of the filling 4 is in a ace where it does not ordinarily show much, it is not necessary to recess it any more than to follow the line of the sole thereabove. It will be observed that this filling 4 being continued on its lower face with the heel 3 and sole 2 forms a flat even bearing for the shoe, so that not only is an adequate support provided for the arch of the foot, but also the larger bearing surface permits more even wear, with less liability to erosion of parts of the heel or sole on either side. This type of shoe is, therefore, peculiarly. useful for persons who habitually stand or walk a great deal, since the foot is perfectly supported without undue strains. The filling 4 may be as shown, formed from integral parts of layers of the heel 3, or may be in whole or in part constructed' of other materials, since my inven tion pertains to the form of the part rather than its substance.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

The combination with a shoe having a continuous sole, of a solid structure secured under the sole and extending as far as the part'thereof which underlies the ball of the foot, said structure being gradually increased in thiclmess toward the part of the sole underlying the heel, said structure being narrowed medially transversely under that part of the sole which underlies the Signed at Racine, Wis, this 28 day of arch of the foot, with the outer side of the May 1913. narrowed portion recessed inwardly beyond the outer line of the solo on that side, and CARL N .5 the inner side following the outline of the Witnesses:

sole, the forward portion of said structure 'W. F. McOoUGHnY,

being flexible. HERBERT SORENSEN. 

